‘Idol’ contestant returns home

Kurt Kloeblen/NPG Newspapers
“American Idol” finalist and Missouri native David Cook performs Friday, May 9, in the Kansas City Power and Light District in downtown Kansas City.

Kurt Kloeblen

NPG Newspapers

After months of watching “American Idol” finalist David Cook on television, when Northland residents Mary Beth Madrigal and son Ben, 7, had the chance to see him live, they jumped at it.

The Madrigals were part of a large group that crowded the Kansas City Power and Light District in downtown Kansas City to see Cook. The singer made stops throughout the metro area Friday, May 9, as part of a homecoming day that was featured Wednesday, May 14, on “American Idol.”

Cook played two songs for a few thousand people who piled into the Power and Light District courtyard.

“We had to see him in person,” Mary Beth said. “I got (Ben) out of school and his teacher said, ‘Go have fun.’”

Nikki Schnepf of Shawnee, Kan., said her friend Lily Garmand dragged her to see Cook perform. They brought their young children to the performance.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Garmand said.

Schnepf said she enjoys Cook because he is unique.

“He just does his own thing,” said Schnepf, with daughter Madeline, 3, clutching close to her side.

Lauren Kurlbaum of Leawood, Kan., said she had the good fortune of having the day off. She brought a friend with her.

“I just came down to support David Cook. He’s great for Kansas City,” Kurlbaum said. “It’s great to see someone big in music from Kansas City.”

Fans decorated signs and T-shirts with different pictures and phrases. “American Idol” producers directed cameramen to shoot the signs and urged fans to hold their signs up high.

Becca Stack and Nathan Todd of Columbia wore personalized David Cook T-shirts. Stack’s shirt had a large photo of Cook on the front and said “There’s only room for one David” on the back, alluding to another contestant, David Archuleta.

They said they drove to Kansas City specifically to see Cook.

“He was amazing,” Stack said. “He was so good live.”

Todd joked Stack’s devotion to Cook is “almost stalkerish,” but added he is a fan as well.

“It’s nice to see people that can actually sing,” Todd said.

Cindy Worth of Blue Springs said she remembers Cook from high school. She was a senior at Blue Springs South when Cook was a freshman, and they were in choir together.

As a member of the Worth family that owns area Harley-Davidson dealerships, she said she hopes to arrange a motorcycle ride to benefit Cook’s brother, Aaron, who has brain cancer.

But at that moment, Worth was busy snapping photos with her pink camera and remembering the kid she grew up with.

“He didn’t look the same back then,” she said.